Scott Redding gets crew chief boost

Scott Redding has been given a massive pre-season boost after it was confirmed that Nicky Hayden’s former MotoGP world championship-winning crew chief Pete Benson is to oversee the British rider’s 2010 campaign in the new Moto2 class.

MCN understands Benson turned down an offer to work as Hayden’s Ohlins suspension technician in 2010 after he was approached to crew chief for Redding in the new Marc VDS Racing Moto2 squad.

Benson’s arrival is a massive boost for Redding, who signed a deal with the Belgian squad in between Christmas and New Year.

The New Zealander was a crucial figure in helping Hayden defeat Valentino Rossi in the last 990cc four-stroke world championship in 2006.

And he will bring a wealth of experience to Redding as the Gloucestershire rider aims to make an instant impact in the new Moto2 class, which will run a modified Honda CBR600RR motor housed in a range of different prototype chassis.

Benson was a mainstay of Honda’s official factory team for several years having worked with Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi before he linked up with Hayden in 2005.

Benson remained with HRC after Hayden was released at the end of 2006 to work with Italian Andrea Dovizioso.

He was released by Repsol Honda at the end of last year and replaced by Ramon Aurin, who previously worked as Dovizioso’s data technician.